Rotary-disk underreamer



May 13, 1930. J. s. BROWN RTARY DISK UNDER BEAMER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed April 2'7, 1927 I I'IIIIIII' .H

u minvws@ May 13, 1930.

J. s. BROWN ROTARY DISK UNDER BEAMER Original Filed April 27, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 13, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JACOB S. BROWN, 0F COMPTON, CALIFORNIA, .ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOV'HARRY C. BROWN AND' ONE-HALF TO'E. A. WILEY, BOTH OF COMPTON, CALIFORNIA ROTARY-msx UNDERREAMER Application led April 27, 1927, Serial No. 186,895. Renewed August 7, 1929'.v

My invention is a rotary disk under-reamer in which the reaming disks may be introduced through a well casing or the like and expanded to under-ream, using disk llke tools in such reaming.

An object of my invention is the construction of an under-reamer having a disk type of tools in which a plurality of disks are utilized which may be introduced through a well casing and then shifted so that the disks cooperating together ream a larger hole than the diameter ot the casing. v

Another object of my invention is the mounting of the cutting disks sosthat rotation of the .device as the disk tools engage the formation causes a shifting of the disks toream an enlarged hole below the casing.

In constructing my under-reamer I have an upper core structure which may be connected to a drill pipe or the like by a pin and on this core is mounted a sleeve, the sleeve being connected to the core by pins which limit longitudinal movement but allow a slight rotary movement-of the sleeve relative to the core. Secured to the base of the sleeve are a pair of tool holders which are slidable transversely to each other on rotation of the core relative to the sleeve. A cutting or reaming disk is secured to each of the tool holders and is shifted therewith to move one disk laterally in relation to the other so that an enlarged hole may be reamed after lowering the reamer through a well casing.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in' which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my reamer as introduced through a well casing, the casing being shown in section.

Figure 2 is an elevation similar to Fig. 1 with the cutting disks shifted laterally rela-v tive -to each other to under-ream.

Figure3 is a vertical section, partly in ele-` vation, through the under-reamer on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows,

showing the tool holders in their retracted position as when lowered through a casing.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the tool holders shifted in the cutting position.

Figure 7 is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. 3, taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 3 in 55 the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the sleeve separate from the reaming structures.

Figure 9 is a vertical section through the sleeve on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 in the direc- 60 tion of the arrows. v

Figure l0 is a side elevation of the core.

Figure 11 is a bottom view of the core taken in the direction of the arrow 11 of Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is an inside elevation of one of the jaws with the cutting disk, taken inthe direction of the arrow 12 of Fig. 13.

Figure 13 is an edge elevation of one of the jaws and its cutting disk, 'taken in the 70 direction of the arrow 13 of Fig. 12.v Y Figure 14 is an outside elevation of a tool holder. v

In Figs. 1 and 2 the well is indicated as having a casing 11 secured in position and a 75 lower bore 12 whichv is of substantially the same diameter as the inside of the casing, or of less diameter. The under-reamed part of the bore is indicated by the numeral 13. In Fig. 1 the under-reamer is shown in the 80 relative position for introducing through the casing and in Fig. 2 in a position for .working or under-reaming.

My under-reamer has four main elements, the core 14 being constructed substantially 85 as follows: l

This core has a head or upper part 15 with a pin 16 thereon, such pin having proper threads to engage with a drill pipe or the like. A cylindrical body portion 17 extends 90 below thehead, there being a substantial flange o'r shoulder 18 on the head adjacent the upper part of the cylindrical structure. A tongue 19 is an integral part of the core and extends downwardly below the cylindrical structure. This tongue is comparatively narrow and preferably rectangular in shape, asindicated in Figs. 5 and 6. A slush duct 20 extends through the core and on each side of the core are recesses 21 which 10 extend circumferentially around the core for a part thereof, as indicated in Fig. 4, and have only suflicient height to engage pins as hereunder described. l

The sleeve structure 22 has an inside cylindrical part 23 with a squared end 24, such end ttin against the shoulder 18 of the core, and te cylindrical part having a rotary turning motion on the cylindrical. body 17 of the core. The sleeve has a transverse tool holder opening 25 which has under-cut slideways 26 to accommodate the tool holders hereunder described. The sleeve has opposite threaded openings 27 having slots 28 extending upwardly and downwardly from said openings, these slots preferably having enlarged ends 29.

The tool holders 30 and 31 are substantially the same, these having an upper shank 32 which fits up in the tool holder opening 25 of the sleeve, there being a recess portion 33 so that the upper part may t in the slideways 26. Each of the jaws is provided with a wide groove 34, the grooves in eachl of the jaws communicating with the slush duct 2O of the core to allow passage of the slushing fluid. On one side of the upper portion of the tool holders on each side of the groove or slot 34 is a transverse groove 35 anda rib 36. These grooves and ribs 35 and 36 intert when the two jaws are assembled in position aiding and guiding same in their transverse sliding motion.

Each of the jaws has a transverse shoulder 37 extending inwardly, which bears upwardly against the lower end 38 of the sleeve. The tool holder has a downward extension 39, this having an aperture 40 therethrough, and there being a recess 41 on the outer side. One edge 42 of the upper part of the tool holder is formed to have a cutting edgeand there is a diagonal groove 43 formed byupper and lower ribs 44 and 45 on the outside of the tool holder to guide the material cut. This cutting edge 42, the ribs 44 and 45 and the groove 43, are preferably formed by an insert of hard steel or the like in the main body of the tool holders.

The cutting disks 46 are substantially similar and have cutting peripheral edges 47, there being a recess 48 at the back to accom- Vmodate the head 49 of a pin 5 0 which extends through the opening 40 of the tool holder and has a nut 51 tting in the recess 41, thus the disks are rotatably mounted on the lower end of the tool holders.

In assembling my invention the tool holders may be held together with the inside faces of the disks together and the grooves and tongues 35 and 36 on each of theholders 30 and 31 interfitting. The holders are then slid into the transverse tool holder openings 25v ofthe sleeve, these fitting therein as clearly indicated in Fig. 3. The core may then be inserted through the sleeve and positioned so that the tongue 19 fits in cross slots '52 in the top of each tool holder. These slots, shown 1n Figs. 5 and 6, are narrowest at their outside portion 53 and widest at their inside part 54, thus having an outward taper. Screws 55 are then threaded in the threaded holes 27 and cotter pins 56 are inserted in each screw, the cotter pins fitting in the groove 28 and the head 4of the cotter pin in the enlarged part 29. The ends of the pins may be expanded into the second enlargement 29. In this manner the sleeve is held to the core with the inner end 57 of the pin extending into the recess or groove 21.

The manner of operation of my rotary underreamer is substantially as follows:

After assembly and securing same to a drill equipment, the disks are centrally situated relative to the core and the sleeve, and to each other, so that. they may be passed through the well casing, as indicated in Fig. 1. When they are completely through and, if it is desired to enlarge a bore extending below the casing, the drilling equipment is given a rotary motion and in this action the cutting edges of the disks strike against the formation in the bore, thus giving a resistance to their turning and, as the disks with their tool holders and the sleeve may have a slight turning action on the core, these elements are forced in this partial turn. This turning shifts the tool holders in opposite directions by means of the tongue 19 engaging in the slots 52, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, thus the cutting disks are caused to spread apart and overlap each other in a horizontal direction, as indicated in Fig. 2, thereby giving an enlarged reamer suitable for under-cutting. In such under-cutting work the rotary disks function the same as other rotary cutters or reamers and may have special cutting teeth thereon if desired or not.

From the above description it will'be seen that I have invented a rotary disk'underreamer which has comparatively few parts, and these parts may be made of heavy material, so that the reamer is easily assembled and introduced through the well casing and also that the natural rotary movement in reaming causes the relative turn of the core and the sleeve with the tool holders and disksslidably associated with the sleeve. Therefore, by a simple operation the tool may be transformed into an under-reamer. It will be understood that a slushing fluid may be pumped through the core and spread over the cutting disks. Besides the disks cutting into the formation, the cutting edge 42 on each tool holder functions to give a cylindrical cut to the whole under-reaming.

Various changes may be made in the principles of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof, as set forth in the description, drawings and claims.

, I claim: f

1. An under-reamer comprising in combination a core, having means to connect same to a drill pipe, a sleeve partly rotatable on the core, a plurality of tool holders slidably mounted on the sleeve, each tool holder having a rotary cutting disk, and means to slide the tool holders transversely as to the core on relative partial rotation of the core and the sleeve.

2. An under-reamer comprising in combination a, core, having means to connect same to a drill pipe, a sleeve partly rotatable on the core, a pair of tool holders slidably mounted in the sleeve for transverse movement, each tool holder having a rotary disk, and means inter-connecting each of the tool holders and the core to shift said tool holders transversely as to the core on the partial rotation of the sleeve on the core.

3. An under-reamer comprising in combination a core, having means to connect same to a drill pipe, a sleeve rotatably mounted thereon for limited movement, the sleeve having a transverse opening with slideways therein, a pair of tool holders secured in said opening and slidable on said slideways, eachtool holder having a rotary cutting disk, each tool holder having a transverse slot, and a tongue depending from the core engaging in said slot to shift each tool holder` transversely on the relative rotation of the sleeve and the core.

4. An under-reamer comprising in combination a core havingan enlarged head and a cylindrical lower portion with a shoulder between the head and the cylindrical portion, a sleeve mounted on the core having screws, there being partly circumferential slots in the core to engage said screws, the tool holders slidably mounted transversely in the lower part of the sleeve, each tool holder having a rotary disk, the tool holders bearin against the lower end of the sleeve and t e sleeve bearing against the shoulder of the core, and interengaging means between the core and the tool holders to shift said holders laterally on relative rotation of the sleeve andthe core.

5. An under-reamer, as claimed in claim 4, the sleeve having a transverse opening with slideways therein, and the tool holders having each an upper shank fitting in said opening and on the slideways.

6. An under-reamer comprising in combination a core having a head and a lower cylindrical body, with a shoulder between the head and the body, having a plurality of partly peripheral recesses, a tongue extending downwardly from the cylindrical part, a sleeve fitted on the cylindrical part of the core and bearin against the said shoulder, screws through t e sleeve having ends engaging in the said recesses, the sleeve having a transverse opening at the bottom with slideways therein, a pair of tool holders, each having an upper shank fitting in the opening in the sleeve and sliding on the slideways, there being transverse slots in the upper end of each of the tool holders the said tongue fitting in said slots, each tool holder having a downward extension with a disk rotatably mounted on the inside thereof, the said tongue actuating the tool holders to give transverse sliding movement thereof on the relative rotation of the core and the sleeve.

7.. An under-reamer, as claimed in claim 6, each tool holder having a cutting edge adapted to cut cylindrical sides to the hole reamed by the rotar disks.

8. An un er-reamer, as claimed in claim 6, the core having a slushing duct therethrough, and grooves in each of the tool holders forming passages from the slushing duct to the disks.

9. In an under-reamer a core to connect to a drill pipe, a pair of tool holders, each having a rotary cutting disk, means interengaging the core and the two holders to shift said tool holders laterally on rotation of the core,

said tool holders each having a vertical cutting edge positioned above the disks.

10. In an under-reamer a pair of tool holders, each having a cutting disk, structures supporting said tool holders and connected therewith to shift said tool holders laterally froman aligned central position, each tool holder having a vertical cutting edge and grooves leading towards the cutter.

ll. An underreamer` comprising in combination a core having means to connect same to a drill pipe, a sleeve partly rotatable on the core, a pair of tool holders mounted for transverse sliding movement on the sleeve, each tool holder having a single rotary cutting disk mounted thereon, the peripheral cutting edge of each disk being adapted to contact with the bore of a drilled hole in the ground 'and on the rotation of the drill pipe, such engagement of each ofthe disks being adapted to cause a partial rotation of the sleeve relative to thecore, and means actuated by such rotation of the sleeve relative to the core to slide the tool holders transversely as to the In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

YJ. S. BROWN. 

